Editorial on the Research Topic
Health-Related Complications of Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a chronic disease mostly caused by a growth hormone (GH)-secreting pituitary adenoma. Excessive GH and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) secretion in acromegaly promote tissues overgrowth, appearance changes, musculoskeletal disorders, and metabolic complications, which result in poor quality of life, increased mortality and decreased longevity when the disease is not adequately controlled ( 1 , 2 ). Main causes of premature mortality in active acromegaly are cardiovascular, respiratory and neoplastic diseases ( 3 – 5 ), which are influenced by the concomitant presence of arterial hypertension, cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, diabetes mellitus, and unfavorable lipid profile ( 2 , 6 ).
The purpose of this special issue on health-related complications of acromegaly is to review the most common and jeopardizing comorbidities associated with the disease, since early diagnosis and optimal management of acromegaly and its comorbidities are critical to ensure best long-term outcomes.
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